Ernesto Valverde has selected his 18-man squad ahead of Barcelona’s second leg quarter-final clash with Manchester United on Tuesday night, with no surprise omissions or inclusions in the squad list.
There were lots of rotations for the Huesca draw at El Alcoraz on Saturday, though the likes of Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets will all be back in action at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona’s squad to face United: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jasper Cillessen; Nelson Semedo, Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Philippe Coutinho, Arthur, Arturo Vidal, Carles Alena; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele and Malcom.
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has called on his attacking players to rediscover their best form for the Champions League quarter-final second leg at Barcelona.
The Reds trail 1-0 from the first game last week but Alexis Sanchez is part of the squad again, after recovering from a knee injury.
The former Barcelona forward will be itching for an opportunity to put one over his former club and really kickstart his campaign after a stop-start few months.
“Alex has been here and played here so it’s a big night for him,” said Ole at his press conference at the Nou Camp, scene of his greatest moment as a player. “When he’s on the pitch, I’m sure he wants to prove a point.
“He wants to prove a point for us as well, because he’s been injured, he’s not had a fantastic season so far and let’s hope he can end it great for us because we are at the business end.
“Let’s hope Alexis, when he’s on the pitch, can be happy with his performance.”
Nemanja Matic provided a boost by being available for the trip, after his recent spell out, and Scott McTominay is also a strong candidate for a midfield spot after the in-form Scotland international was able to conserve his energy when left on the bench for the 2-1 victory over West Ham United
When asked about his attacking choices, Ole said: “It’s very important. We need to score goals. If Romelu [Lukaku], Marcus [Rashford], Jesse [Lingard], Anthony [Martial] or Alexis play, we need a big performance.
“We have to defend but we have to have that little bit of extra to score goals against teams like this. I expect whoever is going to start tomorrow, when they’re on the pitch, to know I want to see some good form. Of course, we have to.”
Luke Shaw is suspended but Ashley Young returns after his domestic ban at the weekend, providing another option to play at left-back.
Eric Bailly and Ander Herrera remain sidelined while young striker Mason Greenwood, who came on as a substitute on Saturday, did not travel with the squad.
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